DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OPEN MEETING

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OPEN MEETING"

Lenard Daniel
5 years ago
Views:

1 DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OPEN MEETING Date : Location : Thursday, December 15, 2016, 12:00 p.m. Second Floor Committee Room, City Hall, Fredericton Pages 1. Committee Membership Councillor John MacDermid, Chair Councillor Bruce Grandy, Vice-Chair Councillor Dan Keenan, Member Councillor Eric Megarity, Member Councillor Mark Peters, Member 2. Agenda 2.1 Landscape Maintenance of Runway District 1 Administrative ReportPresented by: Julie Baker, Coordinator of Parks and Horticulture 2.2 Downtown Fredericton Business Improvement Area Expansion Verbal Presentation by: Bruce McCormack, General Manager of Downtown Fredericton Inc. 2.3 FROSTival 13 PowerPoint Presentation by: Stacey Russell, Assistant Manager of Economic Development, Tourism and Culture Division

2 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Development Committee open meeting December 15, 2016 To: From: Councillor John MacDermid, Chair, and Members of the Development Committee Julie Baker, Coordinator of Parks and Horticulture Date: December 08, 2016 Title: Description: Landscape Maintenance of Runway District Removal of RUNWAY signage in the Business Parkway ISSUE: Since 2004, the City of Fredericton Parks and Trees staff have provided the service of landscape maintenance around ten (10) RUNWAY signs located throughout the industrial areas of the City. Parks and Trees Division has also been paying for the operating costs to power the signs as well as repair the signs. With a lean focus on efficiencies in our work processes, staff have identified this as an area of concern in terms of how much value the service adds to both customers and stakeholders and are seeking permission to remove the signage and discontinue landscaping around its base. BACKGROUND: In 2002, City of Fredericton staff and Enterprise Fredericton launched an initiative to increase economic activity in the Fredericton Industrial Parks. The RUNWAY (Business Park Network) is an area identified with both signage and landscaping. RUNWAY was the brand name created to identify the link between the airport and the industrial/business areas of the City. The signs and associated landscaping were established to attract business to the City and as way finding for business in the Business Corridor. DISCUSSION: Parks & Trees staff has been told by citizens and stakeholders, namely business owners in the Business Parkway that the signage installed is not effective, either for way finding or attracting new customers. This year staff removed the power to the signs since they were very difficult to read at night. In addition, many of the signs are deteriorating and in need of replacement or refurbishment, in order to effectively identify and promote the industrial areas in the City. One business owner from the Parkway area has approached the city and expressed interest in upgrading the signage near the business to be more effective. Although we have not entered into any sort of agreement with the business, it does make sense for us only to delay removal of that particular sign s base. POLICY: Council authorization is required for (Signage on the Business Parkway) in accordance with Policy No. ECO-POL Economic Development, Marketing & Promotional Coordination COM-POL Community Development, Sign Approval ECO-POL Economic Development, Business Attraction & Retention

3 2 FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION (Immediate Impact on Approved Budget): The seasonal maintenance of the landscaping of the ten signs in the Business Park Network is done by Parks and Trees staff. As a cost containment strategy, staff is also requesting that the Business Park Network signs be removed which will eliminate the costs to maintain them and the future costs to replace them. The cost to remove the signage, as staff recommends will be $ 16,000 (quote from K-line Construction) LEGAL CONSIDERATION: The Department/Division has determined that there are no legal considerations associated with this matter. SUSTAINABILITY DUE DILIGENCE: This section should identify and explain the issue s impact on the economy, the environment and our community, as follows: The economic impact: is negligible. In today s better connected world, there are far more effective and efficient means to identify business park locations (GPS, Google, Social media with map links, etc.). Businesses are currently relying on these better methods. the environmental impact: There has been a positive environmental impact by removing power from the signs. If the signage and landscaping is removed or reduced, staff will save on fuel and equipments costs associated with maintenance. the social impact none COMMUNICATION PLAN: The removal of the signage in the areas we recommend would not affect service levels. This item is being discussed in open session so we expect the media will release the news story. It is not expected to draw any controversy. SPOKESPERSON: Julie Baker OPTIONS: Option 1 - Remove the signs and landscaping at all locations, keep the bases Option 2 - Remove signs, bases and Landscaping. (Except the base located at Vanier Industrial Entrance) RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Development Committee directs City staff to remove the Runway signs and bases, including the surrounding landscape; except the base located at Vanier Industrial Drive entrance. Prepared by: Julie Baker, Coordinator of Parks and Horticulture Approved by: Ken Forrest, Director of Growth and Community Services Form No.: GOV-FRM-002 Service: Community Leadership Issue No.: 1.8 Issue Date: May 19, 2015 Printed On: December 9, 2016 May 25, 2001

4 RUNWAY SIGNAGE

5 What is the RUNWAY? The RUNWAY Business Park Network is an 18 km commercial corridor stretching from the west-end to the east-end of the city encompassing four nodes: Prospect Street Vanier Industrial Park Knowledge Park Allison Blvd Parks & Trees has been responsible for maintenance work since 2007.

6 Signage (RUNWAY) - Landscaping in the Business Park Network Why make changes now? Costly to maintain with little value added to customers Many signs in need of repair Increase in the number of negative comments from stakeholders and the public Unbudgeted item

7 Factors we considered. Redundancy in street names Confusion of RUNWAY Branding Damage from construction Deterioration of signs No longer needed for way finding

8 Maintenance of Landscaped Areas around Signage 10 Signs throughout the Corridor Maintenance done by Parks & Trees Staff includes; Weeding, Pruning, mulching, renovation work

9 Landscape Maintenance around Signage

10 The Options Option 1: Remove signs and landscaping at all 10 locations (keep bases) *Cost = $ 1,200 / sign = $12,000 Option 2: Remove signs, landscaping and bases at 9 of the 10 locations Keep the base at Vanier Industrial Drive *Cost = $ 2,000 per sign = $ 18,000 *based on estimate for the work form K-line Construction

11 Example of Sign to Remove

Staff Recommendation Staff objective is to determine the best option for maintaining the Business District Parkway, one that is focused on efficiency while still meeting customer needs both now and

12 Staff Recommendation Staff objective is to determine the best option for maintaining the Business District Parkway, one that is focused on efficiency while still meeting customer needs both now and in the future. Option 2 is the best choice in meeting this objective. Remove the Signs, bases and landscaping at all locations (Except Vanier Ind. Park) Keep the base for potential replacement sign

15 FROSTival events over 4 weekends Indoor / Outdoor / Family / Adult lots to choose!

16 FROSTival 2017

17 FROSTival 2017

19 NEW for FROSTival 2017 More craft beer events Bus & Walking Tours Fat Bike Tour Curry n Beer Ice Dance Sip n Paint Events Maritime Cup Events Intimate Music Venues

20 Dine Around Freddy

Let s spread the word! Jan 19 Feb 12, 2017 www.

26 Let s spread the word! Jan 19 Feb 12, #FROSTival

4. ADJOURNMENT 4. LEVÉE DE LA SÉANCE

4. ADJOURNMENT 4. LEVÉE DE LA SÉANCE NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF FREDERICTON CITY COUNCIL By Order of His Worship Mayor Mike O'Brien, a Special Meeting of City Council is scheduled for: Date: Monday, November 5, 2018, 7:30 p.m. Location: